Recognized

“Huffing” Driver Causes Deadly Santa Ana Car Crash

Posted on Nov 21, 2010

A 20-year-old Santa Ana man faces DUI charges after causing an Orange County car accident that killed one of his passengers and sent three others top the hospital.

The accident happened at about 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, November 20. Jose Luis Gomez was driving south on Fairview Street with three friends in his car. He was speeding when he lost control of his 2007 Chevrolet Impala. His car crossed onto the center median and then crashed into a tree at the corner of Fairview and MacArthur Boulevard.

The police determined that Gomez was huffing automotive-grade nitrous oxide just before losing control of the vehicle.

A 15-year-old boy riding in the front seat was killed in the Santa Ana crash. Gomez and the two passengers in the back seat were taken to a local hospital for treatment their injuries. The back seat passengers sustained non-life threatening injuries.

Gomez is in critical condition. He has been arrested for driving under the influence and may face charges for the wrongful death of the teen.